Burial Date
Obituaries » BRIAN P. WEBB
WEBB, BRIAN PATRICK, 65, of Montpelier, died recently as a result of a sailing accident on Malletts Bay in Lake Champlain. Brian had an incredible passion for sailing, and his family is comforted knowing that he died in the place he loved most. Brian was born on December 9, 1948, in Auckland, New Zealand, the son of Valerie (Corliss) and Patrick Webb. Raised by two teachers, his upbringing was greatly influenced by the value of education and the rich heritage of music in the Anglican Church. This is where his lifelong passion for music began. His dream of a career in music started at a very early age. At 6 years old, he knew he wanted to be a conductor. He received his early musical education through school and piano and violin lessons. He received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Auckland. Brian came to the United States to study choral conducting at Indiana University in Bloomington where he received his doctorate. In 1974, Brian was given the opportunity to take a job in Vermont, teaching at Norwich University where he was a professor of music for many years. He later joined Union Institute and University in 2001 where he most recently was a dean of the Bachelor of Arts programs. Brian held the post of music director and conductor of the Vermont Philharmonic for over 20 years. He also held the position of organist and choirmaster for the past 40 years at Christ Episcopal Church in Montpelier. His music career included conducting many local choral groups and orchestras. He also had the opportunity to conduct orchestras in Mexico, Spain, Italy and the former Yugoslavia. One highlight of his career was when he conducted the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert of American music by Gershwin in 1985. In 1984, Brian married Nancy Allen of East Montpelier in Takapuna, New Zealand. He and Nancy shared many interests, including music and sailing. Together, they raised two children with strong connections to music, a love for sailing and the values of dedication, hard work and devotion to family. Though music was his true passion, he had many other interests. While at Norwich, he coached women’s rugby, and from 2000 to 2012, he was an instructor at the Central Vermont Blue Wave Taekwondo Academy. An avid sailor, Brian spent every spare moment sailing the waters of Lake Champlain where he kept his sailboat for 30 years. His goal was always to be the first boat in the water in the spring, and the last boat out in the fall. Brian is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Helen Louise Webb-Prosser and wife Amy Webb-Prosser; and son, Evan Webb. Surviving relatives in New Zealand include: sister, Jillian, and husband, John; two nieces and their families; a nephew; aunt, Meriam; and two cousins. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews on his wife’s side of the family, as well as a host of friends, colleagues and students, all of whom enriched his life.
